actuate

[ ak-choo-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·tu·at·ed, ac·tu·at·ing.

1. to incite or move to action; impel; motivate:

   actuated by selfish motives.

2. to put into action; start a process; turn on:

   to actuate a machine.

actuate

/ ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. to put into action or mechanical motion
2. to motivate or incite into action

   actuated by unworthy desires

Derived Forms

• ˈactuˌator, noun
• ˌactuˈation, noun

Other Words From

• ac·tu·a·tion [ak-choo-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• de·ac·tu·ate verb (used with object) deactuated deactuating
• self-ac·tu·at·ing adjective
• un·ac·tu·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) “reduced to action” (past participle of āctuāre ), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) ( act ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin actuātus, from actuāre to incite to action, from Latin āctus act

Example Sentences

The biggest decision you’ll have to make around “typing feel” is whether or not you want a mechanical keyboard, named for the physical mechanisms under each key “actuate” or trigger each input.

From Popular-Science

Mechanical keys, which use a physical switch to “actuate” your inputs, were prized for their superior typing feel and the reliability of a physical switch.

From Popular-Science

You could customize how your keyboard sounds, how hard you have to press each key to actuate it, how much that key “fights back” with each push, how many keys you want to have, and many other characteristics.

From Popular-Science

As with mechanical keyboards, the switches in the V2 Chroma use a physical mechanism to “actuate” an input, sending the signal to your Xbox or PC.

From Popular-Science

Demand for rim-brake wheels and cable-actuated shifting has plummeted at the high end of the sport.

From Outside Online

He sought to penetrate the human heart, and to reveal the secret motives which actuate the conduct of men.

From Project Gutenberg

To make life a success, the glory of God must be the ruling motive to actuate us in all the walks of life.

From Project Gutenberg

My agitation on Sunday week during and after your departure called forth reflections which actuate my present conduct.

From Project Gutenberg

Only suppose that nation to possess the same feelings which actuate every breast in this House; which actuate the American people.

From Project Gutenberg

If thoughts do not actuate it, your distrustful fears and cares will vanish.

From Project Gutenberg